I've been living and working in the Devoluy for 11 years. Just love all apects of mountain life, along with the bonus of uncrowded alpine ski slopes and sublime cross-country tracks. Big investments in the resort not only on the slopes, we have a huge sports complex opening this December 2012 with one of the biggest climbing walls in Europe.
Maryanna
La Tourtette, Guesthouse

Dévoluy Ratings

Access: 4.0

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day &ndash; you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Dévoluy.

Public Transport: 4.2

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Dévoluy, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Scenery: 4.2

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Accommodation: 4.6

(1) No places to stay in/near Dévoluy, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 4.2

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.6

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Dévoluy.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.8

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.6

(1) There are no child care facilities at Dévoluy, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowsure: 4.2

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Dévoluy is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Snowmaking: 3.8

(1) Dévoluy relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.2

(1) There are no snow groomers at Dévoluy, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Dévoluy are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.5

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Dévoluy is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 2.8

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Dévoluy, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.2

(1) Dévoluy usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.2

(1) The staff at Dévoluy are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Dévoluy are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.0

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.2

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.6

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Variety of pistes: 4.2

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Dévoluy has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Beginners: 4.6

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.2

(1) No intermediate terrain at Dévoluy, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 3.6

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.6

(1) Not even a kicker at Dévoluy, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Off-piste: 3.4

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Cross-country: 4.0

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Dévoluy, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 2.2

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Dévoluy has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.4

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 3.8

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.6

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 2.6

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.2

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 4.0

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 3.4

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 3.4

(1) Overall, Dévoluy is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 3.8

(1) Overall, Dévoluy is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

We are in the Devoluy and it's raining low down but more snow on the way. Yesterday we were under blue skies with great snow for January 1st, what a way to start the year! A couple more connections opened this year, snow park starting to be built. If there is less snow anytime then Superdev is better with more descent runs but otherwise either La Joue for 'small' feel, very compact and pretty, or Superdev for more of the purpose-built, yet, very efficient, practicalities. We live here a lot in our own place, La Colyn, outside the main the season and there's loads of alternatives for activities. Come visit the Devoluy - outside the ski season there's so much to do in the way of climbing, via ferrata....

November 22, 2011Jonathan Thompson from United Kingdom

Bought an apartment in La Crete du Berger, La Joue du Loup. Had our first day skiing Feb. 2011 and was fantastic. No queues; loads of great piste. As a seasoned skiers it seems perfect for me and my wife to enjoy whilst our three boys learn.

January 14, 2011Chris Ainsworth from United Kingdom

We run our business (Alpine Ventures) based near La Mure just over an hour away from Dévoluy and everyone we take there is always impressed. It is our favorite resort as it has an extensive variety of runs from those down through the trees to La Joue du Loup to the harder blacks at the top of the resort, which have a real high mountain feel. The red runs in the middle sections are particularly good. On the day we skied there during the New Year holiday 2010/2011 there were times when we were the only people on some of these runs! Amazing! If you fancy visiting this resort feel free to contact us via the website. You would also get the chance to try other resorts in the area too!

January 10, 2011Frenchtracks from France

Hi. We live here in the Haute Alps and regularly ski at Devoluy and Joue du Loup among others nearby. We have a house that we've been renting out for the last 5 years which sleeps up to 12 people. All our guests have been most impressed with the resorts, many returning each year with their friends and families.
The feedback from everyone is that the skiing/boarding is great, loads of sunshine, views and good food up the mountain all at reasonable prices and the best bit is that there is very little queuing and pistes are often quiet, unlike some of the better known resorts.
If we can be of any help check out our FrenchTracks website.

July 17, 2010Colin Chapman from France

Hi - we live in UK but have a house in the Devoluy and spend most of the ski season there, 8 years and still not bored. We can sometimes take B & B guests or even rent the whole house, or just meet up and ski together and give advice.

December 18, 2009stokie steve from United Kingdom

Hi we are looking to go to this resort for the 1st time this year, i am just wondering who Janine from spain used to book her accommodation

Also can any body tell us which other resorts are near by as there does not appear to be enough skiing to keep us entertained for whole week in this resort

November 12, 2009janine from Spain

It seems there is a problem with L'oree des pistes this year - Topotel have pulled out and nobody else is offering accommodation at the resort. We are returning to Dévoluy this year on 2nd January and this time we are staying in a chalet in Joup du Loup near the ski lifts and centre. The skiing is the same regardless which resort you stay in. We have booked a 3 bedroom detached chalet with fireplace which is fully equipped for 485 euros for the week for 5 of us - it is excellent value for money and compared to all other French, Spanish and Italian ski resorts incredibly reasonable, especially as the skiing is truely fantastic. We can't wait to get back on the slopes. For families you could not ask for more than the resorts of Dévoluy and Joup du la loup offer. Happy skiing.

January 28, 2009Trista Thompson from United Kingdom

We love La Joue Du Loup. Our three girls learned to ski on lovely wide easy cruising blues and greens. Head up higher for the more challenging reds and the couple of blacks. However, it can be windy but the views are stunning. The two villages are very small and quiet even at the height of the season. Queues are minimal, and restaurant terraces mostly empty and not badly priced. There is no nightlife at all although Joue du loup does have a bar which will provide for those who wish to go out, but don't expect to party until dawn. The restaurants are good, but get busy as there are not too many. Eating and partying aside, we are heading back for our 5th visit. This is typical French village skiing where English is hardly heard. Joue Du Loup is the prettier village, but it is easy to ski across from either resort or you could be really lazy and drive round 4 mins. Some accommodation is dated but then you are only sleeping in it. Super D has newer built apts - topotel offering best accommodation and they speak English. Cheap flights to Marseille with an easy drive up to the resort add to the appeal of skiing here. A much more affordable ski than the bigger better known French resorts and ideal if you have kids or are on a budget. Happy skiing.

January 25, 2009Janine from Spain

If you are into skiing or boarding this resort (Dévoluy) is fantastic. Wide open runs and small tree-lined runs, ski paths through forests (steep blues) - easy to negotiate lift system and easy skiing from Dévoluy to Joue du la loup village. You get a ski pass with access to 100 kilometres of slopes covering both resorts.
We are a family, 2 parents, 3 boys age 6, 7 and 9. We started on the huge choice of long easy greens and blues to gain confidence and ended on a good choice of daring reds and the mushroom park by day 5 (we did not make it to the small choice of blacks at the top though). We arrived on 5th January and we did not once have to wait to get on a lift. There is a good choice of reasonably priced mountain top restaurants and the villages both offer a choice of restaurants/pizzaria's. The views are incredible and the sunshine and blue ski made our break. Don't go to this resort if you are looking for apres-ski though, there is little, actually none really. Whilst there are plenty of restaurants, cafe's, supermarkets and Boulangerie's there are few bars and NO nightclubs. Most of the 2 resorts have only self-catering accommodation. Dévoluy and La joue du Loup are perfect for families, mature couples/groups, for a quite relaxing ski break and for romance, but not for partying. We stayed in L'oree de pistes ski chalets in ski in/out accommodation and we skied right to the door everyday. The chalets range from 2 bed apartments up to 4 bed detached units and they are picture-perfect and very well equipped; highly recommended. More info on Dévoluy and La Joue du la loup can be found on the tourist information site ledevoluy.com - we booked with topotel.com directly. There is an indoor pool and jacuzzi, if you can be bothered to get all the ski gear on and off to walk to the facility. Stunning skiing, peaceful, easy, thrilling, reasonably priced lift pass and ski hire and restaurants; highly recommended (except for party animals).